Shit, I'm Falling For A Weasley || George Weasley

Chapter Twenty - In which I'm all in

"So you're telling me you told everyone the story?" Fred asks as he glances at the mounting pile of letters surrounding Harry. I have got to admit, it's pretty impressive and not something I could have done. He put himself out there and told the truth to everyone, laid his soul out for everyone to see. The amount of courage that must have taken is unthinkable. But then again I guess the anger did fuel him a lot too. 

I spot George on the other end moodily poking at his beans. What's gotten him into this mood? I try and remember being annoying or doing something inconsiderate but nothing comes to mind. I mean last night we sneaked out to sit by the lake and he was telling me stories of how he and Fred once wrestled with the squid. Kissing. There was a lot of kissing last night. So much so I woke up today feeling extremely happy- so why is he so miserable?

"Hey," I greet him as I sit next to him.

"Morning!" He says cheerfully, any signs of an ill mood vanishing. I narrow my eyes. This either means that I was reading into it too much and he isn't angry with me or he is angry with me and just doesn't want me to know for whatever bizarre reason he might have.

"You okay?" I ask all the same and he frowns at me. Of course. He doesn't know that I was staring at him before. 

"Yep, just been overworked recently," he states blandly, a flicker of his earlier mood becoming visible. 

"You? Working?" I say laughing slightly as I help myself to some toast.

"It's not Hogwarts related. The shop. It's just a lot of work right now," George says with a sigh. My stomach twists, I hate it when he mentions the shop. It makes me remember that there's a life outside of Hogwarts and next year I'll have to return without him. 

"Oh, okay. Well if you need any help- don't ask me," I mutter with a hard gaze.

"What kind of girlfriend are you?" George asks raising his eyebrows at me.

"One who has her O.W.L.s coming up," I reply causing George to smile. He rests his chin on my shoulder as he moves closer to me and wraps his arms around my waist. 

"You'll be fine," he whispers in my ear. 

"Easy for you to say, you got your shop and all," I try and keep the bitterness out of my voice, but completely fail at the task.

"Come work for us then," he whispers tightening his arms around me. My eyes widen. What? Work for him? It would mean spending a lot of time with him. It would mean living near him. It would mean life with him after Hogwarts. 

"I don't work for anybody," my pride lies for me as I try to figure out how I feel about the whole idea. On the one hand I feel like jumping for joy, but then there's another part of me which reminds me that this is all fake. He doesn't know who I really am. He's basing a judgement on what he thinks he knows. 

"We'll see about that," George whispers, unlettered by my lack of enthusiasm. I roll my eyes at him, but then my attention is diverted to Harry as Umbridge has a heated conversation with him.

"Is she annoyed he did the interview?" I ask getting myself out of George's arms. 

"Yeah it's Umbridge what do you expect?" He says trying to pull me back to him but I push him away lightly.

"That's ridiculous! That's a violation of human rights. She can't take freedom of press away!" I say the last part loudly as I start to stand. George yanks me down and pulls me closer to him. Before I can do anything he forces his lips on mine. He holds my hands tightly to prevent me from moving.

"Mr Weasley! Miss Argent! This is unacceptable behaviour!" Umbridge says in her sickly sweet voice. "10 points from Gryffindor... each" she continues before giving herself a satisfied smile and walking off.